1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to resistance training and cellulite reduction.
2. Related Art
Fat deposition on the back, thighs, buttocks, and abdomen often has a dimpled appearance. This type of fat has been coined “cellulite,” and has been a cosmetic challenge for both heavy and thin people for decades. Scientists, doctors, and entrepreneurs around the world have been trying to develop a solution for years.
Millions of research, development and consumer dollars have been spent on various creams and lotions purported to dissolve cellulite. The scientific support for and the results from studies on these products are often lacking, but the public continues to purchase them. Often, misleading information from the manufacturers and ignorance on the part of consumers leads to poor results and discontent. Marketers attempt to convince the public that their product works. But what they fail to disclose is that the user must apply this cream or lotion daily, and do so using deep massage.
There may be a valid reason why these creams or lotions work well for some, and not at all for others. The trick and secret may have to do with the method of application, and not necessarily the make up of the cream or lotion. If the cream or lotion is applied in the normal fashion of a lotion, with light pressure, the results are likely to be poor. There may be some increase of circulation to the skin caused by the product itself, but it is unlikely to permeate the fat cells. Thus, one should not expect any alteration in the fat that lies deep below the skin. If, however, the cream is applied with deep massage, more blood will be summoned to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, and fat layer. The increase in circulation caused by massage actually helps to mobilize fatty cells which could potentially “spot reduce” fat. Further, deep massage can mechanically break down the septations between the fatty pockets in cellulite. These fatty pockets are what cause the dimpled appearance of cellulite. Liposuction is a surgical procedure for spot reduction of fat. Liposuction not only mechanically removes fat globules, but also breaks down the septations which surround the fatty globules. Unfortunately, this procedure is not only very painful, but fraught with potential complications. Scarring can occur from the incisions and adhesion within the fatty layer, thus worsening, rather than improving the look of the fatty area. In addition, this procedure is very operator dependent. Therefore, results can vary significantly.
There are three proven methods known to eliminate cellulite which are safe, non-invasive, and effective—diet, exercise, and massage. Almost any diet can be used as long as the end result is a decrease in the total amount of body fat. By decreasing the total body fat, one can decrease the amount of cellulite. Since the fat should not and cannot be completely removed and the septations remain intact, this method just reduces the volume of cellulite. Once the weight is added back on, the cellulite puckers up again. Fat reduction alone, through diet and exercise can eliminate approximately 90% of the problem. The remaining 10%, and the reason that some “skinny” people still have cellulite, can be due to septations. A certain amount of body fat is healthy, and losing the extra 10% may require many people to take extreme and unhealthy measures to completely eliminate cellulite. Not only would it be unhealthy, but it can require prolonged discipline that can take the joy out of life, and can be difficult to sustain long term.
Exercise also helps in the elimination of cellulite. Exercise can increase the number of calories burned, which decreases further deposition of fat. The only way to reduce pre-existing fat is to run a calorie deficit. This means that a person must burn more calories than he or she has available for fuel. Fat is only broken down to provide the extra calories needed when there is not enough food in the digestive tract.
Progressive resistance training (PRT) provides additional benefits to the exerciser in pursuit of fat reduction by increasing muscle mass. The increase in muscle mass uses more energy (calories) at rest. Thus, those with more muscle mass can eat more than average and maintain lower body fat. An added benefit of PRT is that increased muscle bulk in the hamstrings and gluteal region will by virtue of physics decrease the presence and appearance of cellulite. The skin and fat are “pushed away” and stretched over the increased muscle bulk resulting in smoother skin and subcutaneous fat.
Finally, there are a few outcome studies that show clear clinical improvement of cellulite after a course of massage. The challenge is that massage works best if done for at least 30 minutes every other day, and once stopped, the results fade. Massage can often become very expensive and time consuming. A device has been developed just for cellulite massage, but it requires a trained professional to operate, and is typically only available in clinics.
It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop an apparatus and method for reducing fat, cellulite and/or the look of cellulite.
The invention provides a resistance training and massage apparatus to simultaneously provide resistance training and massage. A strap is formed into a loop to extend around a body portion of a user. The strap is displaceable as the user exerts a pulling force on the strap. A motor or vibration means is coupled to the strap to impart vibration to the strap. The motor is displaceable along with the strap as the user exerts a pulling force on the strap. A resistance means is coupled to the motor for elastically resisting displacement of the motor and the strap, and providing a resistance force to the pulling force exerted by the user.
The invention also provides a method for simultaneously performing resistance training and receiving massage. A vibrating strap is looped around a body portion of a user, the strap being coupled to a motor that vibrates the strap. The user pulls against the strap and elastically displaces the strap, the strap being coupled to a resistance force to elastically resist a pulling force exerted by the user.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.
b is a partial side view of another resistance training and massage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
c is a partial side view of another resistance training and massage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
d is a partial side view of another resistance training and massage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
e is a partial side view of another resistance training and massage apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
As illustrated in
The massage is applied with a strap 18 configured to vibrate and/or oscillate a portion of the user's body, such as the user's waist, buttocks and/or thighs. The strap 18 can be formed into a loop 22 extending around the user's body portion. For example, the loop 22 can extend around the user's thigh, as shown in
The resistance training is provided by elastically displacing the strap 18. Thus, the strap 18 is horizontally displaceable as the user 14 repeatedly exerts a pulling force 16 on the strap. For example, the strap or loop can extend around the user's leg or thigh, and the user can repeatedly pull the strap backwardly or rearwardly, as shown in
Therefore, the motor 26 and the strap 18 can provide massage simultaneously while the user performs resistance training by repeatedly pulling 16 against the resistance means and relaxing the strap.
The apparatus 10 can include a base 42 with a platform 46 to support the user 14. An arm 50 can be movably or pivotally coupled to the base 42, and can carry the motor 26. A first end of the arm 50 can be pivotally coupled to the base 42, while the motor can be mounted to a second end of the arm. The gas shock 38 or resistance means can be coupled between the base and the arm. The position(s) of the connection between the gas shock and the arm 50 and/or base 42 can be moved or adjusted to change the resistance force provided by the gas shock.
The arm 50 can have an adjustable length to change or adjust an elevation of the motor 26. Thus, the elevation of the strap 18 can be adjusted to suit the user's body, and/or position the strap where needed. For example, the arm 50 can include first and second portions movably coupled together, or telescoping portions. The two portions can be selectively fixed with respect to one another by a pin selectively disposable in an array of apertures in the portions.
Referring to
Referring to
The base 42 can include a vertical column 60 with a grip or handle 64 to allow the user to stabilize himself or herself. A stand 68 can be disposed on the column 60 to receive a book, magazine, television screen or monitor, etc. A timer 72 can also be carried by the column to allow the user to time the exercise and massage.
Different straps can be provided that are configured or shaped for different parts of the body. For example, a thigh strap 80 can have a wider or taller section 84 on one side, and a narrower or shorter section 88 on the other side, as shown in
A method for using the apparatus 10 described above, and for simultaneously performing resistance training and receiving massage, includes looping the vibrating strap 18 around a body portion of the user 14, with the strap being coupled to the motor 26 to vibrate the strap. The strap 18 can be looped around the waist, buttocks or thigh of the user. The user 14 pulls against the strap 18 and elastically displaces the strap, with the strap coupled to a resistance force to elastically resist the pulling force exerted by the user. The user 14 can repeatedly pull against the strap, and relax the strap.
An elevational height of the strap 18 and the motor 26 can be adjusted to correspond to the waist, buttocks or thigh of the user 14.
The user can implement an exercise/massage regimen that includes regular use of the apparatus. For example, the user can exercise/massage for 20-30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week.
The base or frame 42 and vertical column 60 can be formed of metal, such as tubular steel or aluminum cut or bent to form the desired shape, and welded together or to other components. The platform 46 can be metal or plastic, and can include a non-skid or non-slip surface. It is of course understood that the base or frame can have other configurations. The arm 50 can be formed of telescoping steel or aluminum tubes, and can be adjustable by a series of holes and a locking pin. The resistance means can be coupled to the arm and/or base by a pin inserted through apertures in brackets and the resistance means and the base. The resistance means can be adjustably coupled by using a series of apertures.
It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20060019805 A1 | Jan 2006 | US |